BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A pickup truck driver died after rear-ending a vehicle slowing for a crossing guard and children on Columbus Street in Bakersfield Thursday afternoon. Police said speed and possible intoxication may have contributed.
The Bakersfield Police Department said on Thursday, October 29th, 2026, at around 2:22 p.m., officers were called to the intersection of Columbus Street and Bucknell Street for a crash.
When officers arrived, they found the driver, who was the sole occupant of an older model pick-up truck, inside his vehicle suffering from severe injuries. The man was pronounced dead by medical personnel.
According to police, a preliminary investigation found that the driver of the truck was traveling westbound when it collided into the back of a second vehicle that was slowing down for a crossing guard escorting children across the street.
Police said the driver of the second vehicle was not hurt, nor was the crossing guard or any children.
Bakersfield police said speed and intoxication are believed to be factors in the crash.
A pickup driver died after rear-ending a vehicle slowing for a crossing guard and children on Columbus Street in Bakersfield Thursday afternoon. Police said speed and possible intoxication may have contributed. PHOTO: BPD
The crash happened in the 1100 block of Columbus Street, an east/west street consisting of two lanes of travel in each direction. The east/westbound lanes are divided by a raised center divider, with a left-turn storage lane for eastbound Columbus Street to turn northbound Bucknell Street, and a left-turn storage lane for westbound Columbus Street to private property on the south side of the street.
The posted speed limit is 40 miles per hour, but due to the fact that children and a crossing guard were present, the area was an active school zone with a posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to call the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.